How Much is Undoubtedly Too Much?

[Snarfie]

That seems a bit high but I guess it all depends on how much is being included. As audiophiles we're not including things like the studio space
and all the rest. Here's a SOTA mixing room that could double as a fantastic listening space. Just add a couch.

View attachment 404108

Regarding price i am just guessing. An yes a 40 track digital mixer is not what i have ( just 4 Allen & Heath Xone 4D) in my listening room but it is about the investment ratio 30-70. I got the impression that most people are focused on the gear but room acoustics esspecialy in the average living/listening room does not come close to a decent controll room (reverd time around < 0,5 second) where the master is made let that be the source that is played in the average living/listening room. With a reverb time above 1 second it probably will not come close how it should/could sound.

Knowledge - t.akustik

takustik.com

 

[Sal1950]

Regarding price i am just guessing. An yes a 40 track digital mixer is not what i have ( just 4 Allen & Heath xone 4D) in my listening room but it is about the investment ratio 30-70. I got the impression that most people are focused on the gear but room acoustics esspecialy in the average living/listening room does not come close to a decent controll room (reverd time around 0,5 second) where the master is made let that be the source that is played in the average living/listening room. With a reverb time far above 1 second it probably will not come close how it should/could sound.

Audiophiles have traditionally been stingy or sold a bill of goods when it comes to room treatment, mainly cause very few even try to lead them down that path. You can read the latest Stereophile or TAS discussing spending tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars on turntables and tube amps but
never once mention room treatment or it's importance. My senior brain may be forgetting some things but I can only remember a few instances
where one of the writers talked about building a new house or like and included a description of what went into the listening room.
And then we have the GOD of vinyl, Mikey Fremer. Just check out the first few minutes of this video to get the idea.

 

[Ropeburn]

Oh no, max volume will be sufficient for larger rooms..

• Cerwin Vega CLS or XLS 215 (both actually measure well, don’t come for me!)
• Infinity Kappa models: 90, 100, or the Kappa 8 and 9, including the newer .1 and .2 versions
• Wiim Pro Plus (for streaming, Bluetooth volume control, basic room correction)
• Amplifiers: Crown XLi or XLS, Yamaha Pxxxx, QSC GX line

Affordable, powerful, clean, and versatile setup.

*Aesthetics and WAF (wife acceptance factor) not considered in the above.

There's some Kappa 8.2i available near me, and Kappa 80 too... each under 600 the pair. 6.2i for 380. Tempting...

 

[Mart68]

There's some Kappa 8.2i available near me, and Kappa 80 too... each under 600 the pair. 6.2i for 380. Tempting...

Only problem with those Infinity Kappa is the very low impedance.

 

[Doodski]

Only problem with those Infinity Kappa is the very low impedance.

I agree although the fun factor with Kappas is there. I've run a Kappa 9 off run of the mill Japanese Yamaha and Luxman100 Watt/ch to 260 W/ch power amps and the Kappas worked okidoki.

 

[Mart68]

I agree although the fun factor with Kappas is there. I've run a Kappa 9 off run of the mill Japanese Yamaha and Luxman100 Watt/ch to 260 W/ch power amps and the Kappas worked okidoki.

I would hope so - they're proper amplifiers!

I always liked the 9 but so rare here in the UK. Gave up looking years ago.

 

[Doodski]

I would hope so - they're proper amplifiers!

I always liked the 9 but so rare here in the UK. Gave up looking years ago.

You are correct. I ebay searched and there are only Kappa 9 parts available. Too bad so sad!

 

[Mart68]

You are correct. I ebay searched and there are only Kappa 9 parts available. Too bad so sad!

So many loudspeakers, so little time

 

[Ropeburn]

Only problem with those Infinity Kappa is the very low impedance.

From what I've read, only the original 8 and 9 models have the ultra low impedance problem (under 2 Ohm dips) and like to eat amplifiers for breakfast. The 8.2 are supposed to be 3.3 Ohm minimum. Uncritical.

 

[Ropeburn]

You are correct. I ebay searched and there are only Kappa 9 parts available. Too bad so sad!

They seem to have been really popular around here. Dozens of offers just in a 100km radius around here (West Germany), including "Ur" 8 and 9 models.

 

[MAB]

I agree although the fun factor with Kappas is there. I've run a Kappa 9 off run of the mill Japanese Yamaha and Luxman100 Watt/ch to 260 W/ch power amps and the Kappas worked okidoki.

The first versions were very difficult:

Really had to be careful what amp was used, the amp and EMIT panels both being at risk.

The Kappa 9.2 was more forgiving, only dipped below 2 Ohms:

 

[Ropeburn]

The first versions were very difficult:
View attachment 404125
Really had to be careful what amp was used, the amp and EMIT panels both being at risk.

The Kappa 9.2 was more forgiving, only dipped below 2 Ohms:
View attachment 404134

Holy shit, that 0.8 Ohm dip

 

[Sal1950]

Only problem with those Infinity Kappa is the very low impedance.

Beware of Infinity Kappa's with blown EMIT or EMIM drivers.
Last I was aware they were either impossible-expensive to repair or source a replacement.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

Only problem with those Infinity Kappa is the very low impedance.

Not a problem for these

• Amplifiers: Crown XLi or XLS, Yamaha Pxxxx, QSC GX line

Only the original 9 and 9.2 models have very low impedance dips. However, all of them benefit from ample clean power.

Beware of Infinity Kappa's with blown EMIT or EMIM drivers.
Last I was aware they were either impossible-expensive to repair or source a replacement.

Generally, it’s not an issue. They’re quite robust. The few defective ones I’ve seen were either exposed to moisture, leading to corrosion, or had developed age-related hairline cracks in the diaphragm.

EMIMs can be repaired, but EMIT-Rs are more challenging in that regard.

The main thing to watch out for with Kappas, are the polydomes. If they haven’t already failed, they likely will soon. Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent alternatives available.

 

[Waxx]

The only Infinity Kappa 9's i've seen down here were broken beyond repair, mostly the polydome was fried and very often other drivers also. It's a speaker that in theory should work, but in reality is a nightmare from what i hear from former owners.

There are some on local second hand sites, but very often without the original tweeter or broken. And the specs don't look like they go very loud, not JBL style loud.

The newer ones have a better reputation, and when they work they are very good speakers, but again, they don't go loud enough for very big spaces. They are like the average good floorstander. Probally not so different than the more modern Revell speakers.

 

[Old_School_Brad]

The only Infinity Kappa 9's i've seen down here were broken beyond repair, mostly the polydome was fried and very often other drivers also. It's a speaker that in theory should work, but in reality is a nightmare from what i hear from former owners.

There are some on local second hand sites, but very often without the original tweeter or broken. And the specs don't look like they go very loud, not JBL style loud.

The newer ones have a better reputation, and when they work they are very good speakers, but again, they don't go loud enough for very big spaces. They are like the average good floorstander. Probally not so different than the more modern Revell speakers.

I've owned quite a few Infinity Kappa speakers over the years and have had the chance to inspect even more. I've come across some that had issues with the EMIT-R tweeters (as discussed earlier) and around two-thirds with problematic Polydome drivers.

I’m not sure I understand what you mean by describing these as "a nightmare" or suggesting that they only "work in theory." From my experience, the Kappa 9s I’ve heard sounded fantastic with a build quality second to none.

In my opinion, the newer iterations of the Kappa line, like the .1 and .2 series, are even better. Currently, I have the Kappa 7.2, 8.2, and 9.2 models. I can confidently say that they hold their own against JBLs in every way -sound pressure level, build quality, and audio fidelity. These are not your average floorstanders by any stretch of the imagination. I wouldn't trade them for any JBL that's for sure. Maybe you're right in comparing the Kappa line to something akin to the larger Revels. -Which I wouldn't exactly describe as "the average good floorstander" either.